kr being discontinued..

Seems odd that the k-x sold so well but the k-r not

Didn't it? That's surprising considering how much better it is.

Actually what I find really strange is that these are being taken off just as the busiest shopping period of the year starts. Maybe it's clever in some way but I can't see it.

I haven't seen any announcement of discontinuation yet, so this seems just speculation.

If there is a problem though it may well be related to shortage of parts. There are no doubt many suppliers in the chain.

As a buyer of the K-r only last week, I emailed Pentax voicing my concerns about the K-r being discontinued. I received this reply only today.
The K-r is still in production. Even if it were not customers are still covered by Pentax support and warranty.
I hope that this may alleviate the concerns of new buyers of the rather good K-r, like myself.

Thank you Gedski.

This has to be a worldwide first. A 'Manc' thanking a 'Scouser' LOL!!!

Kind regards, Gedski.

Pentax have just anounced on facebook that the k-r limited edition colours will be available exclusively on walmart.com in pink, purple, blue, green, yellow, navy, metallic brown, gold and silver. That doesn't sound like an end to production does it???

No it doesn't. I wonder what all this is about then?

just rumors, I posted the source link earlier.. discontinued is usually a good thing, means new models coming out..
also... Walmart online doesn't mean shelf space in thier retail stores does it?
Could be a way to clear out all old stock....
one other possibility.. the rumor could be a misinterpretation... could be buyin body only has been discontinued, but kits with lenses still available?
I dunno, but thought it would make an interesting thread..
link

No it doesn't but I imagine building those limited editions would have been expensive to make, thats a wide range for a limited edition range...

I see they have announced a distribution deal with Wal-mart for the Kr in various colours.. How long before we get them at Asda ?

another angle we might not have considered...
what if Pentax signed an exclusive, multi year contract with Walmart to ensure higher volume sales of the kr for the short term to build up the companies brand recognition LONG TERM..... that would ensure a long term supply of NEW pentax users that might buy lenses and acessories short term, and BETTER newer models in the future! Maybe pentax want the KR to be the new k1000... (k1000 was regarded as the volkwagon beetle of the camera world)????????

then pulling the model from other lower volume retailers makes sense...who'd pay more for the same camera, from B&H if Walmart has it cheaper?

Why all the hand-wringing?

In the world of consumer electronics different models are introduced and discontinued all the time. So what? That doesn’t in itself make the old models somehow bad. Indeed there are plenty of examples where successors products are outshone by their predecessors in more or less important ways.

For example, the new Sony 24mpix sensors appear to generate quite a bit more noise that the previous generation as contained in the K5. It may be that this can be improved in firmware, but I’ll believe that when I see it.

It seems to me the heightened anxiety in this thread must be due to concern regarding the fate of Pentax under new ownership. However, that is in my view now a medium term issue.

The terms of the deal released strongly suggest to me that Ricoh have extracted their pound of flesh from Hoya for ridding them of a troublesome situation. I’d wager Hoya have already substantially financed the next generation of dslr models, and as such Ricoh have nothing to lose in pressing ahead with market introduction.

I say the sooner they do that the better; there are lots of exciting developments afoot in the industry and I really hope to see some innovation that goes beyond the purely cosmetic.